Rituals (John Zorn album)

Rituals is an album of contemporary classical music by American avant-garde composer John Zorn. The piece takes the form of an opera in five parts and was premiered at the Bayreuth Opera Festival in 1998.

Reception

The Allmusic review by Dan Warburton awarded the album 3½ stars stating "It's a well-crafted work, superbly performed".

Writing for Pitchfork Media, Matthew Murphy stated "for established Zorn enthusiasts, Rituals is replete with moments to confound, enrich and delight, and will surely lure you to its darkened altar for frequent repeat ceremonies".

Track listing

All compositions by John Zorn.

1. "I" - 4:48
2. "II" - 7:45
3. "III" - 4:21
4. "IV" - 5:21
5. "V" - 4:19

Personnel

• Jennifer Choi – violin
• Fred Sherry – cello
• Tara O'Connor – flute, alto flute, piccolo
• Michael Lowenstern – clarinet, bass clarinet, E-flat clarinet
• Peter Kolkay – bassoon, contrabassoon
• Jim Pugh – trombone
• Stephen Drury – piano, harpsichord, celeste, organ
• Kurt Muroki – bass
• Jim Pugliese – percussion, wind machines, water, bullroarers, gravedigging, fishing reels, paper, bowls of BBs, bird calls
• William Winant – percussion
• Heather Gardner – voice
• Brad Lubman – conductor

Production

• Produced by: John Zorn
• Mastered by: George Marino at Sterling Sound, NYC

References